Family Pictures

So, on New Year's Day we got our family pictures taken by my friend, Desiree. She did a wonderful job. Here are a few...

This is the best pic of Dan and LeAnn ever!

Cat was having a moment...Now she's all smiles!
Boys and their toys...

Update

I am feeling so much better! My blood pressure is dropping like crazy! It's great! I am off all blood pressure meds and it is close to normal now. Normal is 120/80 and I have been running around ~135/75. This morning it was 112/70. Yay for my heart! I have much more energy than I used to. I rarely need naps anymore unless I have stayed up late a few nights in a row. It's amazing! I can keep up with Cat now. YAY!

Twilight

Okay, so I have now read all four Twilight books and I am now hooked. It was a very interesting series and very enjoyable to read. Jill asked for my opinion on the final book. I am gonna give my opinion on all four...

Twilight - Very good storyline. The first 100 pages were kinda boring, but that sets up the story. I love the love story between Edward and Bella. Talk about love at first sight! I love how his family took her in as family as well. What an awesome family to be "adopted" in to.

New Moon - I was very sad that Edward took off, but fortunately Bella had Jacob to entertain her. I love how Stephanie Meyer describes Bella's depression and hole in her. I think we can all understand that at times. I was very happy to see that Edward was back in the end.

Eclipse - I'm not sure about the whole Victoria vengeance thing. Again, the first 100 pages were boring. I'm not sure about Edward protecting Bella so much. I think she is a lot stronger than he gives her credit for. Oh, the whole tug of war for Bella. I so feel sorry for her having to chose between Edward and Jacob. Graduation was awesome! I am glad that Stephanie made that an important point. Edward staying the night every night got a bit old...

Breaking Dawn - This book was a bit of a disappointment and a major stretch! I think the series should have ended when they got married... I know Bella didn't want to give up the human side of her until she had had sex. I like how Stephanie edited the sex scenes to keep the book PG13. Totally understandable, but getting pregnant 17 days after the wedding???? Not sure it's possible. She wouldn't have really known until 37 days later... On the other hand, she didn't carry Renesmee for the whole 10 months... Lucky her... The book could have even ended after Renesmee's birth. The whole Volturi thing got totally out of hand and went on way too long. Oh, and Alice bailing! That made me totally mad. Why would she bail without giving any information as to why she was leaving? It all made sense in the end though. I'm glad they are all back together as a family and that the treaty was renewed and strengthened. I'm glad that Jacob gets to be "part of" Bella's family.

Post Surgery

I am feeling so much better. It's amazing how one little piece of metal and a hole in the leg makes me feel so much better! I can't believe it! I don't need my naps anymore and I have a bit more energy than I used to. When I can go back to the gym, we'll see how things go. I am not allowed to go back to the gym for another week. YAY!

My follow-up appts went well. The cardiologist says I am healing perfectly and that the murmur is now gone! YAY! Also, in six months I will no longer have to be pre-medicated prior to going to the dentist! Another big YAY! I understand the purpose behind it but it is very annoying. I have to go see the local cardiologist (in Fontana) in three weeks to have him start working on the ascending aorta to see if it has changed in size since my surgery. We'll see...

Surgery Finished

Hi All,

My surgery is finished and it was a sucess. However, they did find an enlargement of my aorta where it leaves the heart. They are hoping that the stent will fix this problem, however, if it doesn't then they have to surgically fix it. I am praying for the fix itself option. I am a total wuss when it comes to pain, needles, etc. I have some crazy bruises right now and they are not fun. The one that hurts the worst is the one in my arm from the IV. That was a HUGE piece of plasic. I have a couple of appointments on the 23rd for follow-ups. Which means I have to go back to LA. FUN...NOT!!! I'll keep everyone updated.

LeAnn

It's Official!

It's official. My surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, January 13th. I have to check into the hospital in Los Angeles by 9:30 a.m.

I am both excited and nervous at the same time. I am extremely grateful for technology and all that we have. Without the technology that we have, I would not be able to have this surgery be as minor as it is. They are going in through my leg to my heart. Back in the day, they would have probably had to...anyway, I would have a zipper. I am grateful to the Lord for His many blessings and His love for us that He would allow technology to advance as it has.

I will update this blog once I get home from the hospital and have rested a bit. If you are wondering what surgery I am talking about, check back in December about my heart. There is even a cool picture of my heart. Gosh, I love technology!

Out with the Old; In with the New

Happy New Year to everyone! We have closed the books on 2008 and have opened a new book for 2009. We are hoping to have a wonderful year this year. Most of 2008 is a blur. It seems it has gone by way too fast. Some of the highlights for 2008 are:

• Cat becoming a sunbeam in Primary!
• Going to Disneyland, again, and again, and again.
• Cat's advances in karate.
• The birth of our newest Fewkes family member, Alyssa. (She was eating in this pic-but she is still soooo cute!)
• And spending time with family.

2009 has a few things already in the works:

• LeAnn's heart surgery.
• Cat becoming a Star A in Primary.
• Cat's continued success in karate.
• Going to Disneyland, again, and again, and again. (Can't tell we like Disneyland, can ya...)
• Spending time with family.
• Who knows?

We wish everyone a very safe and prosperous new year! Love to all!